Comments on: T-Mobile’s New Garminfone Trumps Google Navigationhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/
The industry leader in emerging technology researchSun, 20 May 2018 13:32:26 +0000hourly1By: Rayhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248540
Thu, 22 Apr 2010 02:29:11 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248540Having used various Garmin mobile products in the past I don’t hold out much hold for the new crop. Once a name synonymous with quality GPS-based products, lately their introductions have been plagued with quirky bugs and a confusing and sometimes expensive update process. For instance, are database updates for the product mentioned in this article free and how often will they be available?

Often I’m off the grid and I appreciate the on-board navigation database of my smartphone. But I have to wonder, hasn’t anyone figured out how to buffer Google map data over a pre-defined region or a set distance from the current GPS fix? Seems a simple and obvious fix for Google maps.

]]>By: tonydhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248538
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:43:49 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248538If u are worried about losing signal go with the Motorola Droid. Verizon’s network is far superior to T-Mobiles hands down. I’ve been a Tmobile customer since voice stream. I recently switched to Verizon. I travel 48 states and rarely ever don’t have a 3G signal. I love Google navigation BTW. Too bad Tmobiles moto cliq shipped with the substandard 1.5 android. Really sad Tmobile! You CA.d even use Google navigation. Wow: (
]]>By: Stuarthttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248537
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:47:22 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248537I think it can be a big win for Garmin if they advertise and implement it well. It’s Breeze UI looks nothing like other android UI’s and it’s not bastardized like AT&T’s Android phones so it can use the Andriod Market. If they get good speech-to-text to complement the text-to-speech then handsfree texting in the car can be a viable option.
]]>By: Kevin C. Tofelhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248535
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:47:44 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248535Rocky, I’d love to see Google take that step. Even if they did it incrementally, i.e.: use your phone’s GPS location at home to provide regional map downloads in the background and store them locally.
]]>By: Rocky Agrawalhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248534
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:29:34 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248534It doesn’t now, but it’s very plausible for Google to pre-fetch routes and surrounding areas that could allow for automatic recalculation.

It wouldn’t help if you were out of coverage and changed your mind on where you wanted to go, but it could address many use cases.

]]>By: Kevin C. Tofelhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248533
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:03:32 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248533How will you use Google Maps Nav in an area of limited or no cell signal coverage, such as the commenter above?
]]>By: Taylorhttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248532
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:57:23 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248532Good thing it has Android 1.6 so you can use Google Maps Nav.
]]>By: A.B. Dadahttp://gigaom.com/2010/04/21/garminfone-vs-google-navigation/#comment-248531
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:37:58 +0000http://gigaom.com/?p=114718#comment-248531Garmin should sell an amazing app for Android phones that has preloaded maps (with real-time caching of changes!). I’d happily pay $50 for a great GPS app. I have 4 Android phones, and my Moto Cliq (Android 1.5) comes with some nav software that I’ve only tried once and doesn’t seem all that wonderful.

I like the Archos 5IT’s GPS, but it takes FOREVER to get a lock (30 seconds – 4 minutes).

Google Nav is nice and all, but I’ve had serious issues when I’ve been out of signal, such as recently in Nevada and Arizona out in the mountains. Fail.